Sometimes you spot a car that is that little bit different and yet so so right. I’m used to seeing everything from wild S-bodies plastered in fibreglass and tribal graphics to VAGs polished to within an inch of their lives so, usually when I come across something that really excites me, it’s because it has one or two small little touches that set the car apart from the rest (without screaming and shouting about it). This was the case with Danny Coker’s E36 that I spotted at Rockingham the weekend before last. I was immediately drawn to it and had to go in for a closer look.

I’d be lying if I said the first thing that got my attention wasn’t the wheels. I wasn’t sure what they were at the time but, since I posted a photo of his car on the STL Instagram, Danny emailed me over a full spec list. Measuring 15×9.0J -30 (with 15mm spacers up front, too), the Turbo Vector wheels were both smaller in diameter and more aggressive in fitment than I was used to seeing on an E36.

The front fenders were Fibre Factory items which helped to prevent any Wisefab-style fitment fails.

The front lip and M3 bumper brought more aggression to the look, while the E46 M Sport side skirts helped to bring some additional depth. Of course, the ride height was on point too.

To tie in with the widened front end, +50mm Unique Customs rear overfenders were fitted which, when combined with the Top Secret rear spats and shotgun exhaust, added a hint of Japanese influence to the E36’s look (in my mind, at least).

I’m not too sure on the origins of the rear spoiler but I definitely enjoyed its almost-Rocket-Bunny-but-not-quite ducktail stylistic cues.

Things were pretty lively on the inside too; there was no way I was going to miss that zebra print Grip Royal steering wheel. a Zilla bucket seat was fitted too, while the rest of the interior had been upgraded to the preferred BMW black leather spec.

Of course, this is only a run down of everything that I could see while having a poke around Danny’s car but the rest of the spec is pretty serious too, with highlights under the bonnet including an M52 engine swap (with an M50 intake manifold, mapped ECU etc) and M20 lightened flywheel conversion.

Suspension-wise, HSD coilovers had been joined by thicker anti-roll bars, Destroy or Die rack spacers, Team Never Die knuckles, shortened tie rods and an assortment of polybushes.

So there you have it; something different that stands out from the (rather large) crowd, is ready for the track and yet still remains somewhat subtle and classy. I really like it.